SPECIAL CALL: The U.S. Science Support Program is issuing a special call for experienced scientists to apply for Expedition 374 in the following specialty: paleomagnetism. The deadline to apply for this special call is November 3, 2017 at 11:59 PM EDT.

The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) is now accepting applications for scientific participants on Expedition 374 Ross Sea West Antarctic Ice Sheet History, aboard the JOIDES Resolution.

The Ross Sea West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) History Expedition (based on IODP Proposals 751-Full2, 751-Add, & 751-Add2) will investigate the relationship between climatic/oceanic change and WAIS evolution through the Neogene and Quaternary. Numerical models indicate that this region is highly sensitive to changes in ocean heat flux and sea level, making it a key target to understand past ice sheet variability under a range of climatic forcings. The proposed drilling is designed to optimize data-model integration for improved understanding of Antarctic Ice Sheet mass balance during climates warmer than present. Core and log data from a transect of six sites from the outer continental shelf to rise in the eastern Ross Sea will be used to: (1) evaluate WAIS contribution to far-field ice volume and sea level estimates; (2) reconstruct ice proximal atmospheric and oceanic temperatures to identify periods of past polar amplification and assess forcings/feedbacks; (3) assess the role of oceanic forcing (e.g., sea level, temperature) on WAIS instability; (4) document WAIS sensitivity to Earth’s orbital configuration under varying climate boundary conditions; and (5) reconstruct eastern Ross Sea bathymetry to examine relationships among seafloor geometry, ice sheet instability, and global climate.

The expedition will take place from 4 January to 8 March 2018.

This is a special call for experienced scientists in the following specialty: paleomagnetism. U.S.-affiliated scientists interested in applying to sail for this special call on Expedition 374 through the U.S. Science Support Program. The deadline to apply is November 3, 2017.

For questions, please email usssp@ldeo.columbia.edu.